bushido_man96

This just seems weird!

I had just finished the grappling section in the book today (I didn't get through the short staff section). Most of it was pretty easy to follow, but I tend to get a little lost when he starts getting into the Remedy Masters, the Counter-Remedies, etc. But, I think I was able to figure it out along the way for the most part.

DarthPenguin, the last warmup set is at approximately 90% of the work set. I don't find that it hurts the work set at all, because I only do a single. What I should probably be doing, but I'm not, is squatting this day, too. If I were squatting at the beginning of the workout (which is what the program intends), I would finish with deadlift, and only do something like two warmup sets, due to already being warmed up from the squat. Since I don't squat in deadlift day, I do a few extra warmup sets to good an prepped for the work set. My warmups typically go like this: 2x5 of the empty bar; set of 5 at approximately 50%, set of 3 at 70%, single or double at 90%, then into the work sets. Right now, with my squat and press being fairly light compared to what they were at, I'm just kind of feeling it out. As I get heavier, I'll adhere to this more strictly. 1/27/2023 Strength Training Squats: 45x5x2, 135x5, 195x3, 250x5, 250x5, 250x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 95x3, 127.5x5, 127.5x5, 127.5x5. Snatch Grip Deadlifts: 165x3, 225x2, 265x5, 265x5. Overall, a good session today. Snatch-deads stayed pretty well on the shins; a slight drift in the second set, but I fixed it in the following reps. No irritation in the adductor from squat sets, but still have the bar shifting problem. 30 minutes on the elliptical later on with my wife.

Thanks to the both of you! I'll be looking into it, for sure.

Only thing i would say to that is that sometimes the calling out can be better done privately / in person with the individual. Some people respond very negatively to being called out in public - though the CI obviously knows Zach so i assume that this was factored in. I do totally agree though that it is good for the CI to bring it up and let him know he needs to sort it! Reminds me of the other thread on here about the planned failure. This is a much much more productive way of dealing with things - don't put them out there to fail them, let them know they won't even get out there until they reach the standard expected I agree that there are times when handling something like this in private is a more comfortable approach, especially for the person being called out. But at times, doing in class is necessary, as well. It becomes a lesson for everyone in the room, and not just the person being called out. Now, I'm not saying it should be an act of degradation towards the student; that would be very wrong. But simply stating the facts out loud, and the consequences for missing classes, is fairly appropriate. And anyone looking to venture off the beaten path learns from another's mistakes.

You're killing it, Zaine! Way to go man! 1/25/2023 Strength Training Deadlifts: 135x5, 185x5, 255x3, 325x1, 360x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 95x3, 125x5, 125x5, 125x5. Triceps Push-downs: 65x14, 65x14, 65x8. Loaded the weight for deadlift that I should have done last week, and nailed it. Rep three was the only one I really had any issues with. Reps 1 and 2 went smooth, 3 floated away, and 4 and 5 were the typical grind. While deadlifting, I kind of had a realization; even though it felt heavy, I knew that I was going to get it done. So on that last rep, it was kind of relief, knowing that even though I knew it was going to feel like garbage, I was still going to complete the rep. I tend to get squat and deadlift anxiety when they get heavy, so hopefully this will help me with that. I had to leave the gym earlier than expected, so I didn't get to finish my sets of triceps push-downs. I got the two main lifts done, though, so no real loss. TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. T-Shirt Class. This class has kind of turned into my solo workout class. I did forms in sets of two: Choong Jang-Chon Ji, Choong Jang-Dan Gun. Next did review of Do-Kang 6; getting closer to getting it down. Lastly, went through all colored belt one-steps, and then the first 6 three-steps. Choong Jang hyung count: 29 Total hyung count: 60

Well, I guess it'll be time to break that book out again, and do so. A question for everyone here with Sanchin experience: if I were to look up some videos on YouTube, which would be good ones to reference?

It may not seem so, but I think it's probably a good thing that the CI called out Zach. I wouldn't say it's being harsh, but it is being direct. There comes a point when the younger students need to understand that they are very much the one's responsible for their training, and how important it is to take it seriously. They need to take ownership of it. They either do so, or they eventually fall out of it. It's encouraging that he took note of the CI's words, and has been hitting those make-up classes. Good for him. Hopefully, he runs with it, understanding that he can set an good example for other students going forward.

My sensei has always said that Gradings aren't just a reflection of the student but of the instructors also. So for me, if an instructor fails a student because they haven't failed before it just looks bad on them (the instructor). I feel the same way, too. As an instructor, if I don't have a student ready, and I let them test, then that's on me as much as on them.

1/23/2023 Monday, which has become my "big day" of training. Strength Training Squats: 45x5x2, 135x5, 195x3, 245x5, 245x5, 245x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 95x3, 122.5x5, 122.5x5, 122.5x5. Lat Pull-downs: 120x10, 120x10, 120x10. Squats were a bit annoying today. The bar kept rolling around on my back. 'Twas irritating. I was also having issues with my adductor flaring up, but I think I fixed that on the last set. Press is still feeling good. I'm trying to fight from adding in too much layback until it starts to get heavier. Added lat pull-downs back in without any issues. I made a point to hold each rep at the bottom of the pull for a second, and this really helped me to put emphasis on the lats. TKD Class: 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Traditional Class. Only two students again, two orange belts. I helped teach this class, and sat and did a little stretching towards the end while they were doing one-steps. They were really responding well to feedback, and making adjustments as they went. 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Black Belt Class. I did two run-throughs of Choong Jang prior to class. The first one was a more laid back run, but still with some pop and power. The second run, I really blasted out the techniques. I was winded at the end, but I really liked how it came together. In class, we warmed up with Do-Kangs 3, 5, and 6, and then spent time on three-steps 1-9. I really need to get more practice in with these, even though I don't like them very much. Choong Jang hyung count: 27 Total hyung count: 56

Hopefully you can work out the cost. That would be great training. I got the book ordered, and it has shipped. Should be here next week.

Nice numbers! The secret to pressing is keeping the stress high, and having fractional plates. Being able to increase the load by only 1.5 lbs per workout will help to sustain gains for a long time. The other secret, is lots of pressing. Good pressers are pressing at least three times a week, if not four. I can't bench press worth a darn, due to a prior shoulder surgery. But I can press without issues, and I get lots more enjoyment out of pressing overhead than I do bench pressing. Every bro at the gym benches; I want to build a press that makes their eyes wide. 1/19/2023 Half hour of treadmill...and reading a TKD book. 1/20/2023 Strength Training Squats: 45x5x2, 135x5, 195x3, 240x5, 240x5, 240x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 95x3, 120x5, 120x5, 120x5. Snatch Grip Deadlifts: 165x3, 225x2, 260x5, 260x5. Shoulders are still feeling good. Almost misloaded the press today.... Snatch deads are still going up. Grip is holding, and I like the feeling I get in my lats.

This was awesome to read. Have you read The Way of Sanchin? I bought the book some years ago, mainly because of how much I saw Sanchin popping up here in the forums. I read it and enjoyed it (I've enjoyed many titles by the author, Kris Wilder), but I've never undertaken the endeavor of trying to teach myself the kata. Perhaps I should?

Sweet, I am ordering that either tonight or tomorrow!! Thanks for the link.How costly is it per month, Zaine?

That whole not being allowed to cross train malarkey is infuriating. The idea of waiting to call a student up to test and then ban them in front of everyone, after taking the fees, is a new level of low.

Thank you! Before things went south on me, I was close to pressing 200 lbs for singles. That's where I want to get back to. I'd like to have a 225 lb press, and work it up from there.

I would highly recommend reading the book, DP. However, it doesn't necessarily explain much more! Physical mastery through internal reflection. But both physical and spiritual aspects are required.

Ooh, this is great. I've got a whole bunch of manuals here at home in my library, and I'd be happy to try to study a little alongside you, Zaine. I don't know that I'll ever get to the physical performance steps; I just don't have the resources around me to do so. Is there a certain manual that you are working through right now? Is there a version of it in print? Let me know; I'm always looking for excuses to buy more books!

I agree. As an instructor myself, I would find a point of pride in the fact that my students would always be ready for testing.It has seemed, in my experience at this school, that the CI has always had the final say on testings held at the school. At the HQ school, it's a little different. I knew of another incident, quite a few years ago, in which a young student went to test either for 1st dan, or as a 1st dan, at the HQ school. The CI wasn't happy with the attitude this kid was having at the school, or his effort levels, or something of that nature. At any rate, after being back from the testing, when others got their promotions, this kid didn't get his. CI told him he didn't pass. Well, the dad was a bit miffed by this, and contacted the HQ school to find out the results there; turns out the GM had passed the kid, as did the rest of the testing panel, I guess. Needless to say, the dad was not happy, and shortly thereafter, the kid quit. I don't know if that was an instance of "when I get certain rank, I'm done," and that was the CI's issue, or if there were severe attitude problems at class and that was the reason for failing the kid. Those are issues the GM and the rest of the testing panel probably weren't aware of. But, the CI should have either shared that information with the testing panel, or should not have allowed the student to test at all, and spoke with the parents about what the issues were.

1/18/2023 Strength Training Deadlifts: 135x5, 185x5, 255x3, 325x1, 350x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 95x3, 117.5x5, 117.5x5, 117.5x5. Deadlifts were feeling pretty good...and then after finishing my work set, I got my buddy that works at the gym to come count the weight; I misloaded my work set. It was supposed to be 360...curses! But, I was able to keep the weight from floating away by getting back into my heels to start each rep. Last rep was the worst of them. My shoulders were feeling really good today; not really any lingering pain from class or lifting on Monday. I did a couple of test pulls on the lat pull-down machine, and I will be adding that back into the routine next week. Didn't make class tonight. The weather was starting to get nasty.

$75, but they get the next uniform, too? Not too bad, compared to what I've seen.

Congrats Montana!

I agree, the issues with this approach are embarrassingly glaring. It was really frustrating to hear that this happened.

1/16/2023 Strength Training Squats: 45x5x2, 135x5, 185x3, 235x5, 235x5, 235x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 85x4, 115x5, 115x5, 115x5. Triceps Push-downs: 65x13, 65x13, 65x13, 65x13. Decent session. Got back to the limited ROM triceps push-downs. TKD Class: Traditional Class: 5:30 - 6:30 pm. No one showed for this class, so I used it as my own training time. Sat in the sauna for about 10 minutes before class, and did Choong Jang 3 times throughout the class time. I took a middle section of the form, which has some tricky stance work in it, along with a round kick done on the ground from one knee, and did quite a few reps of that section. Also spent some time in The Rack. Black Belt Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Warmed up with Do-Kangs 1, 3, and 6 (two reps of 6; still learning it). Had 5 rounds of sparring afterwards; two with kids I tried to help out, 1 with a big kid who is taller than me now, and 2 rounds with the adult black belts there. It was my first time sparring in 2 months. It didn't go badly. Choong Jang hyung count: 25 Total hyung count: 51

I agree as well. As in any form of human achievement, there exists the law of diminishing returns. Some people, based on genetics, have higher ceilings than others that aren't so lucky. But, in order to reach that potential, the combination of genetics and hard work have a huge affect.